So - let's break it down for you . . .
Cigar shop -…read more
*Cigars - surprisingly great selection & variety of price points for a smaller town local shop.
*Whiskey, Bourbon, Scotch - while your options are neat or rocks, the pour variety ranges from $7 to $129, the options are narrower than many, but offers quality over a quantity, which is a plus in my book!
*Beer - draft, bottle, or can - limited selection - but again = quality over quantity.
*Service & Knowledge was outstanding
*Entertainment - happened to find this place on a night with live music, so we had dinner at Guido's and popped back over for a smoke, a pour, & a listen.
John Cochran & the Remedy? I think the name is undecided and the John Cochran was absent the entire second set (had the band in a bit of a tiz, but the drummer made it happen and got em up and playing)
*When your name is part of the band name - get your ass in gear, be present, and don't leave your band mates hanging like a jackweed?
That said -
*Keyboardist - crazy mad skills!!!!!!!! Can't say enough!!!
*Rhythm (drums/bass) - solid, crisp, tight on the majority of the tunes played - drummers swapped it out and both talented. Bass was like you like it - on point, doing his thing to keep it moving.
*Brass - Al, the trumpet, coronet, flugal horn playin' bad ass - when he was doing his thing was owning the deck behind the shop and he IS a "SHOWMAN"
*Vocals - The solo chick in the band, she has looks, hair, body, charisma, and the moves to keep you engaged. Her chops showed thru on a couple tunes? But as for song selection - while they were classics - they weren't in her vocal range or sweet spot, so was disappointed she didn't get a full opportunity to shine? Song selection can make or break even the best voices if it isn't in your pocket. Def would like to see them again when they've had a chance to tighten up, add songs, and allow her some voice in the choice.
*Guitar - (John? Jon? Cochran?) What can I say, you saw some natural talent, some flashes of what could perhaps be great, that fizzled after a broken string, a disappearance, brief reappearance and then departure? See this over and over with live talent - has talent, can't commit fully, or has other demons that can't be controlled? From the band reaction, discussions, and recovery - there was no explanation, just "puff" like the cigar smoke and gone?
Love it or hate it - the reviews I leave are the facts as observed by me. Reviews are best left & read RAW!!